USPTO Patents Application 10002601

ML725 1926/1

»-

WAVE 3.0-009
PATAP\ 1G1 0 PB 0 1 . WAV

Patents

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

TITLE: RIBBED MODULE FOR WAVE ENERGY DISPERSION

INVENTOR: DENNIS G. SMITH

SPECIFICATION
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application
No. 29/132,444 filed November 9, 2000, and claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/259,368 filed December 29,
2000 .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD ,OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to
intercept waves and disperse the energy therein to thereby
dissipate, if not eliminate, the wave action.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Structures are known to be positioned in marine environments
to function as breakwaters to reduce the effects of wave action
from the shore. Such devices are disclosed in the patents
discussed below.

, . , , £1725 1 9 2671

5 The construction and arrangement of breakwaters to reduce

erosion of shorelines has changed to include other than just
concrete fixtures. For example, such devices and systems are
disclosed in:

U.S. Patent Np.

Inventor (s)

10

15

.3:3 5.

m

1=1

3 or:

35

40

527,513
1, 593, 863
3,373, 821
3,842,606
3, 846, 990
3, 894,397
3,938,338
4,118,937
4,178,517
4, 264, 233
4,341,489
4,407, 607
4,431,337
4, 669, 913
4, 691, 661
4, 729, 691
4,729,692
4, 748, 338
4, 776, 724
4, 776, 725
4, 844, 654
4, 856, 933
4, 856, 934
4, 856, 935
4, 900, 188
5, 104, 258
5, 122, 015
5, 238, 325
5,238,326
5, 246, 307
5,250, 696
5, 556, 229
5, 564, 369

Foreign Patent
805,789 (British)

See et al .

Brasher

Sare

Stiles

Bowley .

Fair

Cullen

Mansen

Salomon et al.

McCambridge

Karnas

McCambridge

Iwasa

Temple

Deiana

Sample

Techer

Boyce

Iswald

Brode

Widerman

Tubbs, Jr.

Nelson

Haras

Haselton et'al

Ianell

Shen

Krenzler

Creter

Rauch

Beardsley

Bishop et al.

Barber et al .

Laurei

2

El 725 19 2671

British Patent No- 805,789 also discloses a breakwater device
which employs gas bubbles in the path of the wave motion to reduce
sea waves and swell.

U.S. 5,879,105 to Bishop et al discloses a wave energy
dispersion model with smooth flat faceted surface to dissipate wave
energy and is incorporated herein by reference. The present
invention represents an improvement over this prior device.

Traditional breakwaters, seawalls and jetties have failed to
substantially curtail the destructive force of moving water
primarily because of their construction, and tendencies to reflect
or direct wave energy in destructive ways or concentrate the energy
in local hot spots. Erosion and the scouring effects of the
misdirected energy lead to the loss of the beach and undermining of
the structures which were meant to protect the shoreline.

In addition, other fixed structures such as groins lead to the
loss of natural flows and downdrift beaches by interrupting the
littoral flows and generally create a surplus condition on the
updraft side and a starvation condition on the downdraft beaches.

Other erosion control systems which are positioned offshore do
not provide the arrangement of surfaces which deflect and redirect
breaking waves so that eddies and vortexes produced interfere with

EL 725 2 9 2671

and cancel each other, as well as the oncoming portions of the next
successive wave.

Many of these known devices and systems are rigidly mounted to
the shore or shelf portion underneath the surf in a manner which
severely restricts, if not eliminates, removal of the system to
another location where the barriers are needed more urgently.
These same systems also usually require an extensive and expensive
environmental impact study to justify use of the systems in marine
environments which are essentially classified as "sensitive".

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide
a wave energy dispersion module and system constructed and arranged
to moderate, attenuate and dissipate energy transmitted through
flowing water and gravity waves.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a module
constructed to dissipate energy from flowing water regardless of
the amount of water or the size of any waves, such that erosion of
a shoreline is substantially reduced if not eliminated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
plurality of the modules arranged as a unit to be disposed offshore
to extract wave energy and substantially reduce if not eliminate
coastal erosion.

4

' EL725 19 26"/

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
plurality of units consisting of the modules, the units arranged in
a staggered formation off shore to extract energy from waves and
substantially reduce if not eliminate coastal erosion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which is constructed to be anchored
offshore and removably mountable in its configuration such that
removal to a remote location is- quick, easy,- and less expensive to
implement than known systems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide
modules constructed and arranged with respect to each other in the
units such that water passages of different dimensions are provided
to effect movement of the waves through the unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide
modules with ribbed surfaces, channels and grooves such that waves
impinging on the modules are directed to form eddies and vortexes
which impact and interfere with each other and effectively cancel
each other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
plurality of wave energy extraction units mounted to the sea floor
by flexible support assemblies which permit the units to move and
extract energy from the waves.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which substantially reduces the
effect of wave energy on the surf zone and the loss of sand
therealong.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system constructed and arranged to be
particularly effective in depths of water where most erosion
occurs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system having a plurality of units which can
be filled with a substance to control the buoyancy, or tune the
system with respect to the size and amplitude of the waves
impacting the system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which has a portion thereof floating
just above the surface and upon which objects or marine mammals can
be supported.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which does not impact upon the marine
environment and which is aesthetically pleasing.

EL 725 19 2671

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system constructed and arranged as an
inverted pyramid to dissipate wave energy along a plurality of
deflecting channels, surfaces and facets, such that incoming waves
are directed to interfere with each other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy dispersion system which because of its inverted pyramid
shape substantially reduces the wave height thereby reducing the
erosionary nature of the wave energy moving toward the shoreline.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system and anchoring system to coact
therewith such that the frequency of the system can be tuned
depending upon the particular activity of the waves at that
location.

It is another object of the" present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which is capable of converting the
wave energy to heat, mechanical motion and kinetic energy.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a

wave energy extraction system resiliently mounted by an anchoring

system, and which is adapted to expand to absorb incoming flowing
water for fracturing the waves.

E L 7 2 5 I ; 2

►

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system consisting of a multiplicity of
individual modules flexibly mounted together which coact with one
another to force the incoming waves to form eddies and vortexes
which interfere with each other, thereby extracting energy from the
wave .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system^ which is relatively inexpensive to
construct and maintain and substantially increases the percentage
of wave energy extracted.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which is easy to assemble and
disassemble, and is removably mountable to its anchoring system
such that the system requiring repair can easily be removed and
another system substituted therefor in a relatively short amount of
time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system consisting of a plurality of layers
of modules, which layers are constructed and arranged in a
staggered arrangement to fracture the incoming wave flow and
provide eddies and vortexes directed into passages of the system to
interfere with successive wave flow.

3

EL725 19 26/1

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which employs a concertina effect to
interfere with the flowing water.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system adapted to have its buoyancy and mass
adjusted to reduce the amplitude of waves moving toward the
shoreline.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system which does not succumb to the harsh
marine environment of breakers, salt water, intense sunlight and
weather conditions, undertow and other forms of erosion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system including a module constructed as a
one-piece module or from a plurality of portions, preferably two,
joined together with a connecting- assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system having two portions constructed such
that free communication occurs between the two portions.

t I

to.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system wherein each one of the portions for
the module are self-contained and do not permit free communication
between the respective portions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
locking assembly for the connection of modules such that when
portions of a module are connected, they are locked into a select
position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wave energy extraction system constructed of a pair of portions
joined by a connection assembly which permits releasable engagement
of the portions .

The objects of the present invention are accomplished by
providing a module constructed with a plurality of ribbed surfaces
and channels arranged to fracture a wave impinging thereon and
direct the wave into eddies and vortices which interfere with each
other to substantially reduce the wave energy. Pairs of mating
modules are joined together with a unique connection assembly. A
plurality of such modules are connected to form breakwaters which
reduce the effects of wave action on the shore.

10

E i 7 2 5 1 9

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference may be had to the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of
which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the a portion of a system
according to the present invention, including a plurality of the
assembled ribbed modules wherein the - broken lines are for
illustrative purposes only.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of a pair of ribbed modules
joined together.

FJG. 3 is a front elevational view of the joined pairs of
ribbed modules, a rear elevational view being a mirror image
thereof .

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the pair of joined
ribbed modules, a right side elevational view being a mirror image
thereof .

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pair of ribbed modules, a
bottom plan view being a mirror image thereof.

11

Ei?25 19 26/

/ r

a.

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a unitary ribbed module
in place of the pair of modules of FIGS, 2-5.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the unitary ribbed
module, a right side view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the unitary ribbed module, a
bottom plan view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a
pair of ribbed modules.

Fig. 10 is a perspective exploded view of two individual
ribbed modules to be joined together as a pair.

y

*

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of one of the pair of ribbed
modules in position for interlocking with the second of the pair
shown in dotted lines .

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view in partial cross section of
the pair of ribbed modules showing an alternate connection assembly
for joining the modules.

12

EL725 192 6

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view in partial cross section of
a portion of the connection assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a ribbed energy extraction system 10
(hereinafter the "system") of the present invention is constructed
and arranged for use offshore in the sea and oceans, as well as for
use in the waters surrounding marinas, harbors and the like.
Although the system has been 'characterized for use in particular
with ocean waves, it is constructed and arranged to extract energy
from flowing water, regardless of the salinity of water in which
the system is positioned. In addition, as has been presented in
the objects above, one of the advantages of the system is that it
can be tuned to effectively and efficiently extract energy from
flowing water, regardless of whether that water is flowing in the
ocean, a delta or a river.

In FIG. 1, a portion of the system is shown including a
plurality of pairs of ribbed modules 12 to be secured in a layered
arrangement, an anchoring assembly, a restraining assembly, or
other shapes to be disposed in the water to extract energy
therefrom.

In FIGS. 2-5, a ribbed module 12 is shown from which the
system is constructed. The module consists of a buoyant body
having four walls; designated front wall 14, back wall 16, top wall

EL725 1926

5 18 and bottom wall 20. The perimeter of the walls are preferably
of a rectangular shape.

The body also is provided with a first sidewall 22 and a
second sidewall 24 in spaced relation . The perimeter of the
sidewalls are preferably of a rectangular shape. As shown in Fig.
10 4, the side walls extend outwardly and form a thicker central
dimension which provides more efficient nesting of adjacent
modules .

(ft

h\ Transition surfaces 26 connect each one of said front wall,

«!t back wall, top wall and bottom wall to each of said sidewalls in

HI

15*;; spaced relation- The transition surfaces are preferably of a

|H

. ^ triangular shape. The various wall thicknesses and module sizes

a can be varied to suit different bodies of water.

H

M : The front, back, top and the bottom walls, and the first and

\A second sidewalls all have a plurality of ridges 28, grooves 3 0 and
2 0 channels 32 providing ribbed surfaces which have increased friction
drag and resistance to waves. Seams along which these surfaces
intersect are preferably even and well defined, and provide for a
generally 45° angle among the inclined surfaces.

The buoyant body of the module is provided with attaching
25 means so that the plurality of buoyant bodies can be removably
mounted and layered in a plurality of rows to arrive at an inverted

14

. EL725 29 26 /1

5 pyramid configuration with the number of modules in the upper rows
being greater and decreasing to the lower rows immersed in the
water. In particular, each one of the attaching means, preferably
four in number, is connected to at least one of each said walls.
In operation, the attaching means resemble and function as a yoke
10 34.

Each one of the yokes is provided with a protruding end 36 and
a transition end 38. The protruding end extends from the adjacent
walls and is constructed with a length that is perpendicular to the
first and second sidewalls in spaced relation. Preferably, the

15W' protruding end of the yoke is formed as a cylindrical section, as

CI -

ft* shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, although other shapes for the protruding

m

Q end can be employed to effectively carry out the invention. A
f, longitudinal axis of the protruding end is arranged substantially
jU perpendicular to a plane of each one of the sidewalls in spaced
2 0|^ relation. The outer surfaces 40 of the cylindrical protruding ends
have ribbed protrusions and depressions similar to those of the
front, back, top and bottom walls.

Opposed ends of the protruding end of the yoke terminate in
spaced apart terminating surfaces which are substantially parallel
25 to each other, and to the first and second sidewalls in spaced
relation.

15

E L? 25 19 2671

t>

5 Each one of the buoyant bodies is provided with a passage

means 42 which is constructed and arranged to extend through the
protruding end and the spaced apart terminating surfaces of the
yoke. Preferably, the distance between the spaced apart
terminating surfaces of the protruding end is less than a distance

10 measured between the first and second sidewalls in spaced relation.
In addition, it is preferable that the spaced apart terminating
surfaces of the protruding end be constructed such that they are
disposed in parallel relation to each other. This is to facilitate
the mounting of a plurality of the modules (buoyant bodies) to one

15 £; another so that the spaced apart terminating surfaces can function

Ci

M as bearing surfaces which lie flush against one another and provide

III for uniformity of the passages among the modules as discussed

in

■us «

Q hereinafter.

L A distance between the spaced apart terminating surfaces of

CI

20 T1 the protruding end is also greater than a width of each of the
jf*f walls adjacent thereto. The passage means of the protruding end is
specifically constructed and arranged for receiving an attaching
member such as a cable as will be discussed hereinafter.

Each one of the protruding members ends of the yoke thereof
25 is connected to two adjacent walls of the front, back, top and
bottom walls .

16

Ei?25 1926

r

The buoyant body is also provided with another set or second
transitional surfaces 44 which interconnect each one of the yokes
with one of the first and second sidewalls 23, 24 in spaced
relation. The second transitional surfaces are preferably of a
rectangular shape, and are connected to a respective one of the
transitional ends of the yoke adjacent thereto. Surfaces 44
include channels 32 which are aligned with like channels in
sidewalls 22, 24. A distance between a central longitudinal line
of the passage means of the yoke and an end of the protruding end
is preferably less than the distance measured between the central
longitudinal line of the passage means and a connection to one of
the second transitional surfaces.

Each one of the first transitional surfaces 26 is connected to
one of the front, back, top and bottom walls, and to two of the
second transitional surfaces 44.

Preferably, the front, back, top and bottom walls, the
attaching means, the first and second transitional surfaces and the
first and second sidewalls all have surfaces inclined to each
adjacent surface. This inclination is preferably 45° so that the
surfaces provide a faceted envelope from which the attaching means
or yokes protrude for connection as will be discussed hereinafter.
The faceted surfaces provide for the fracturing of the flowing
water as it impinges on the module, and hence, the system.

EL725 1926/1

A hollow watertight chamber is formed when the front, back,
top and bottom walls, the attaching means, the first and second
transition surfaces and the first and second sidewalls in spaced
relation are connected as shown in particular in FIG. 2.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9-13 show modules
formed of a pair of mating halves 46,48 having internal walls
joined together and an external circumferential dividing groove 50.
Each half includes the various surfaces, walls, passages and yokes
with the ribbed protrusions , ridges, grooves and channels as
indicated previously.

The embodiments of FIGS. 6-8 show modules of a unitary
structure, with each individual module having the various front,
rear, top, bottom, side, transition surfaces, passages and yokes
incorporating the plurality of ribbed protrusions, ridges, grooves
and channels as indicated above.

As shown in FIG. 9, the buoyant body can have its mass and
buoyancy adjusted by introducing fresh, brackish or salt water into
an interior of the body, depending upon the chemistry, wave action
and bottom contour in which the system is disposed. Each pair of
the mating halves is formed with an aperture means such as a port
52,54 in each one of two opposed top and bottom walls. The modules
are preferably arranged in the water so that the apertures are
arranged in a top to bottom orientation to fill and/or drain each

18

El?252926

module as the conditions warrant. A closure means such as a
removable plug 56,58 is adapted to immediately seal a corresponding
one of the parts. The interior can also be filled with a marine
grade floatation foam instead of water to provide added strength
and make the modules unsinkable. The quantity of filling will
determine the buoyancy of the modules and position in the water.

As shown in FIG. 10, two mating module halves 46,48
incorporate locking devices to secure the halves together to form
a complete assembled module. Each half includes a circular central
area 60,62 having respective lugs 64,66 on module 46 mating with
openings 68,70 on module 48, lugs 72,74 on module 48 mating with
openings 76,78 on module 46, and slots 80,82 on module 48, and
slots 84,86 on module 46, linking the various elements together
when assembled. Respective nubs 88,90 on module 46 also engage
sockets 92,94 on module 48, and nubs 96,98 on module 48 engage
sockets 100,102 on module 46.

FIG. 11 shows how the halves are assembled by positioning
module 48, shown in dashed lines, over module 46, and twisting the
two together clockwise so that the respective openings and lugs and
sockets and nubs are engaged.

FIG. 12 shows an alternate connection assembly for joining the
two mating module halves together. In this case a convoluted
internal wall section is provided on each of the module halves in

EL725 19 26/1

place of the central area locking device of FIG. 11. The wall
includes nubs 104 and lugs 106 in module half 48 which engage
sockets 108 and slots 110 in the module half 46. An intermediate
area includes opposing convolutions 112 and abutting portions 114.
FIG. 13 shows an enlarged portion of this embodiment. The assembly
is preferably formed of a suitable flexible plastic material which
permits the mating sections to be engaged without difficulty.

In use, each one of the modules in the system is arranged as
shown in FIG. 2 such that preferably, the angle of incidence of the

wave impacting the modules contacts the wall at which point the
flow of water is fractured to be guided along the convoluted
transition surfaces, resulting in eddies and vortexes.

The ribbed surfaces of the modules provide increased strength,
a larger surface area, more friction, more drag and more resistance
to waves than previous smooth faceted structures . The assembly can
be dismantled for movement to other areas and modules can be
stacked for storage.

In FIG. 1, the ribbed modules of the present invention are

shown arranged in layers to provide the preferred shape for use in
the offshore environment. Attaching members preferably consist of
marine rubber cables, such as resilient rodes used to interconnect
the protruding ends of each one of the modules with, in some
instances, four other separate and discrete modules. The rodes

2 0

L?25 192671

5 are formed of marine rubber which is extremely resilient and strong
to withstand thousands of pounds of force repeatedly being exerted
on the system. Stainless steel cables within a rubber layer may
also be used. The cables pass through the yoke passages to connect
a plurality of linked modules in a desired pattern to form barriers
10 of various shapes and sizes to accommodate varying wave conditions.
The diameters of the passages and cables may also be varied. The
view of FIG. 1 provides an arrangement of avenues, streets and

shafts through which the water is permitted to flow to impact and
be fractured on the ribbed faceted surfaces of each successive
15 module. FIG. 2 shows the front wall, first transitional surface

|3 - and two adjacent protruding ends intended to receive the oncoming
flowing water to be fractured. This perspective is shown again in
FIG. 1 with a plurality of the modules of the system. An arrow

y ; indicates movement of the flowing water from offshore to onshore.

CI

r';

Ill

ffl

2 0

The mounting of the modules with respect to each other to form
the preferred pyramidal shape results in a plurality of the
avenues running along a length of the system, and a plurality of
the streets extending across the width of the system and transverse
to the avenues. The avenues and shafts for the passage of water
25 are substantially rectangular in shape, while each one of the
street passages is substantially octagonal in shape.

21

EL725 192671

The relationship between the avenues and streets form plazas
which provide for an area in which the water from the fractured
wave is permitted to be deflected off the ribbed faceted surfaces
of each one of the modules to impact each other to create the
eddies and vortexes which interfere with the flow of the water
itself, as well as any oncoming waves. In effect, the construction
of each one of the modules and the system as a whole is designed to
employ the energy of the flow of water against itself so that the
detrimental power of the waves is substantially reduced if not
eliminated.

In addition, the marine rodes have resilient properties to
secure the system to the anchoring assembly such as those
distributed commercially as the Manta Ray™ anchoring system. The
entire system resiliently rises and falls with the movement of the
waves. When the flowing water first impacts the system, in
addition to any upwelling of the water which may occur due to the
underlying bottom contour, the system provides for a concertina
effect. That is, after the flow .of water has impacted and been
fractured on the ribbed faceted surfaces and protruding ends of the
modules, it moves through the avenues, streets and shafts and
plazas. The hydrodynamic force of the oncoming water causes the
system to expand to receive the water under the concertina effect
to catch or swell as much of the energy that remains in the
oncoming wave. The return resiliency of the system provides its
own kinetic energy as the concertina effect collapses thereby

EL?25 1? 2

further interfering with successive waves impacting on and entering
the system.

The arrangement of the modules in layers by tying a plurality
of modules together with a plurality of horizontal rodes is
important to the invention. Preferably, the modules are connected
to each other in three dimensions to provide the most impact upon
the oncoming flowing water.

The system employs at least three rows of modules, i.e. a
first primary horizontal row of modules connected to another module
of a second horizontal row vertically disposed from the first
horizontal row which in turn is connected to still another module
of a third horizontal row.

A plurality of such systems are anchored offshore of a beach
to extract energy from the flowing water and waves . The
arrangement of the systems can be in parallel columns, or in
staggered rows. The latter is the preferable arrangement so that
each one of the separate and discrete systems interferes with the
wave action of one of the other systems.

The energy dissipating system of the present invention can be
constructed and arranged as an assembly to react to hydrodynamic
forces produced by waves. Such a system consist of a plurality of
interconnectible modules and the means to resiliently connect the

' " ' ' " ' El?25 19 26 Y 1

5 modules, such as the attaching members, to enable the modules to
spread when subjected to hydrodynamic forces produced by waves, and
concentrate when the forces are reduced. In addition, the
anchoring assembly resiliently restrains displacement of the
assembly urged by the buoyancy and hydrodynamic forces associated
10 with the waves.

In particular, the modules are constructed to be assembled to
thereby form vortexes between and among the modules. The spaces,
i.e. the avenues, streets, shafts, and plazas, are arranged to form
flow patterns for an impeded flow of the water through the

8 ••••

15 f| asserr, bly. Each of the modules is constructed and arranged to coact
with the other modules to form an impeded flow path about and among
the modules such that the eddies and vortexes discussed above are

an
I*?

.3,:.

Li

•3SS>

* formed.

b

20

25

The arrangement of the modules with respect to each other
provides for a pumping action between and among the modules in
reaction to the buoyancy of the modules and the hydrodynamic forces
to which the assembly is exposed.

The resilient restraint of the displacement of the assembly
can also be controlled by adjusting the mass and buoyancy of each
module, and therefore the assembly. The use of the elastomeric
rodes secured to anchors in the sea floor permits each one of the
assemblies to be restrained at a strategic location. The anchoring

24

of the assembly restrains the assembly to a locus at the strategic
assembly. The locus can be adjusted upon selecting an elastomeric
rode having a particular length and inherent resiliency.

The present invention also provides for a method of disrupting
wave action prior to the waves contacting the shore and causing
erosion. The method is directed to forming an assembly or a system
from a plurality of the modules, and then connecting the plurality
of separate modules to be resilient in at least one dimension. Of
course, arranging a plurality of layers such that the layers are
interconnected to each other, such as shown in FIG. 1 is preferred.
The modules are resiliently connected in a horizontal direction to
enable spreading and concentration of the individual modules in
response to hydrodynamic energy exerted by waves contacting the
system. The assembly is positioned and anchored to a locus at a
select strategic location to interfere with the oncoming waves.
The buoyancy and mass of the assembly with respect to the wave
action at the strategic location is also adjusted by adjusting the
size and shape of the assembly and the position and number of
separate modules.

Each one of the modules can be filled with air, foam, sea
water, sand or marine concrete depending upon the frequency desired
for the system, and will have an inertial mass of approximately
35,000 pounds. in the arrangement of the modules to form the
system, the oncoming flow of water is forced to impact and be

EL725 19 26/1

fractured upon the system as a heavily resistant filter, such as an
energy filter. The anchoring cables formed of marine rubber permit
the system to rise with the surge of the waves and at a certain
point resist the movement, thereby further fracturing the oncoming
flow of water.

Since energy is not destroyed but is converted, the movement
of the system on its resilient rodes of the anchoring system
converts the wave energy to heat, mechanical motion and potential
energy which can be used for other applications.

A system according to the present can be made into any size,
depending upon the number of modules and the layering structuring
employed. For example, for a system to measure 12' wide x 10'
deep, approximately 51 of the modules will be required. The
horizontal rodes interconnect the protruding ends of the modules.
Locking caps are used to secure ends of the rodes at the spaced
apart terminating surfaces, which function as bearing surfaces
discussed above. The system is naturally buoyant and without fill
will have a lifting capacity of in excess of 15,000 pounds in
water.

A plurality of the systems are preferably placed in horizontal
rows parallel to and in appropriate depth from the shore to create
a flexible energy filter through which waves must pass to reach the
shore. Under certain conditions, horizontal rows will be

paralleled by a second or third horizontal row which will act as a
layer defense in those environments where the wave activity is more
vigorous or the shore is exposed to storms.

An uppermost layer of the system can be painted in an
international color such as orange, to denote certain areas. The
system is constructed such that only approximately one layer of
modules will extend from the water's surface, depending upon the
salinity of the water. In addition, the anchoring assembly is such
that system can be uncoupled from its mooring and removed to a
remote location where it can be used, repaired or replaced.

The modules may incorporate various colored or luminescent
surfaces for identifying their location. They may also be employed
as supporting structures for mounting platforms, signs and
detection devices, or used as floating docks.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein
are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations
of the invention are intended to be covered in the appended claims.